Times are tough. Maybe you had to take a pay cut to stay employed, or lost your job and are looking for work somewhere else. A down economy can be a rough time for a lot of people, but if you can take a long-term view of the situation, you may be able to come out ahead. Here are several ideas that you may be able to take advantage of: 1. Decreased prices on high-ticket items. There are plenty of retail stores that have lower prices right now due to the lagging economy, and someone with ready cash or good credit can take advantage of the good price on that new TV or washer and dryer. 2. Investment opportunities. Blue-chip stocks (basically, large corporations that are probably never going out of business) can be a good long-term investment, particularly companies which pay dividends. A Roth IRA or 401k is a good investment vehicle to pour money blue-chip corporations for retirement. As with all investment choices, educate yourself and make sure you know absolutely what you are getting into. 3. Buying used business equipment. The used market is wide open with businesses closing and their used equipment going on the open market at cut-rate prices. Contact local banks or search for internet auction companies which specialize in business-to-business auctions and sales. 4. House building or renovations. Contractors are looking for work, and materials cost less. 5. Buying a house. As with the big-ticket items, for those with good credit and the ready cash (banks are requiring a higher down-payment, usually 20% of the purchase price), housing in many areas is far less expensive than it was before, and there are plenty of builders with excess stock who are themselves in trouble with the banks and need to short-sell a house. Go to banks, the courthouse, or to a realtor to see what is for sale. 6. Refinance a mortgage. EVERYONE should look into refinancing right now to see if it is a good option. Rates are at all-time lows, and even with tighter standards and relatively higher fees, it may be a good option. If you are only a few years into your mortgage and have a greatly increased credit score, it is an idea that could save thousands of dollars down the road. 7. Re-evaluating needs. One of the problems with the current economic system is that it encourages spending over saving. When the bottom falls out on us, we take stock in what is really important to us. Our money goes into Category:Home › Other • Pomegranates: A newly discovered superfood • Where did the joke why did the chicken cross the road come from and why is it funny? • Can mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder make good parents? • Spiritual evolution of human consciousness • Tips for getting a college basketball scholarship • Living with Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) • Caring for the caregiver • Technologys impact on society